Top 10 True West Western Museums for 2016 Announced

Hundreds of museums celebrate the American West (including more than a few east of the Mississippi). But which ones stand out?

True West magazine’s September 2016 issue has the answer in the feature “The Top 10 Western Museums,” on newsstands August 09, 2016.

For a dozen years, True West magazine has recognized the best Western museums in America for their dedication to their mission of keeping the Old West alive in our communities and nation.

I recently visited one of the top ten True West Western Museums for 2016, the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum in The Dalles, Oregon. They were recognized for their superior exhibitions and ability to reach all generations through their creativity in interpreting the West while fulfilling their institution’s mission.

The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum is honored for its extraordinary exhibitions and dedication to local and regional history. The museum has partnered with Nevada State Museum to display the traveling exhibit “John C. Frémont: Pathfinder of the West.”

Spur Award-winning writer Candy Moulton and the editors of True West picked the winners for this annual award based on the extraordinary efforts of the museums over the past year to create and host new temporary exhibits, as well as maintain dynamic permanent exhibitions.

The Top 10 True West Western Museums for 2016 include:

10. Autry National Center of the American West, Los Angeles, California

9. Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, Duncan, Oklahoma

8. Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum, The Dalles, Oregon

7. Yakama Nation Museum and Cultural Heritage Center, Toppenish, Washington 

6. Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, Nevada 

5. Days of ’76 Museum, Deadwood, South Dakota 

4. Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, Houston, Texas

3. Cody Firearms Museum, Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Cody, Wyoming 

2. Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, Canyon, Texas

1. Boot Hill Museum, Dodge City, Kansas

True West magazine is in its 63rd year of leading the way in presenting the true stories of Old West adventure, history, culture and preservation. For subscriptions and more information, visit http://www.twmag.com or call 888-687- 1881.

When You Go
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum is located at 5000 Discovery Drive, The Dalles, Oregon. For more information call 541-296-8600 or visit http://www.gorgediscovery.org.